Very amused that they banned my account for the audacity of Shopping While Using a VPN. It’d be one thing if the IP was blacklisted and I couldn’t access the site, but no, they just straight up banned my entire account. (Fortunately, I am not a seller so this didn’t do anything but confuse me. Like, okay? You… don’t want money? Fine by me.)
Well I don’t use it much but I guess I’ll still have to from time to time. Most of the people I buy from on there are in countries other than the US and don’t have a separate storefront.
I suggest reverse image searching whatever you like on Etsy. A lot of it is just dropship stuff where you can buy the original and cut out the dropshipper for pennies on the dollar. Depending on what you’re looking for you may have to buy a minimum, but 9/10 the minimum is still less than the Etsy price. I buy a lot of craft supplies and 50/50 an Etsy listing the says “handmade” “artisanal” “bespoke” is never even touched by the seller. Additionally, if the person is not just a dropshipper, you might find their actual website where you can get things for less or at least make sure they get the full amount without giving Etsy a cut.
That’s not the kind of stuff I buy on Etsy. I specifically go for individual, small business or artisan shops. I’ve gotten handmade goods from the UK, Turkey, Ukraine etc.
If there’s not a similar artisan or small business where I live that has what I’m looking for I treat the Etsy app like a large artisan market.
Don’t use Etsy. It’s a shit company that fucks over sellers and buyers alike
It was great at some point. Then they noticed they can make a lot more money from dropshippers than genuine craftspeople
Very amused that they banned my account for the audacity of Shopping While Using a VPN. It’d be one thing if the IP was blacklisted and I couldn’t access the site, but no, they just straight up banned my entire account. (Fortunately, I am not a seller so this didn’t do anything but confuse me. Like, okay? You… don’t want money? Fine by me.)
Apparently it’s really common.
Oh yeah, never use a VPN with Etsy. Especially as a seller
Used a VPN as a seller? Goodbye shop
Suggestions on alternatives?
I noticed the enshittification but there are still small shops and craftspeople on there, you just have to sort through the trash.
There’s this one:
https://artisans.coop/
Thanks! Looks like that has some growing to do but it has some interesting items.
Agreed. I like what they stand for, and if more people promote then maybe it could catch on too 👍
Lots of people set up their own shop with Shopify etc. You can use Etsy to find a seller, and then see if they also have an independent shop
Sadly no real marketplace alternative out there. There are some small platforms, but they often only cater to a super specific market
Well I don’t use it much but I guess I’ll still have to from time to time. Most of the people I buy from on there are in countries other than the US and don’t have a separate storefront.
I suggest reverse image searching whatever you like on Etsy. A lot of it is just dropship stuff where you can buy the original and cut out the dropshipper for pennies on the dollar. Depending on what you’re looking for you may have to buy a minimum, but 9/10 the minimum is still less than the Etsy price. I buy a lot of craft supplies and 50/50 an Etsy listing the says “handmade” “artisanal” “bespoke” is never even touched by the seller. Additionally, if the person is not just a dropshipper, you might find their actual website where you can get things for less or at least make sure they get the full amount without giving Etsy a cut.
That’s not the kind of stuff I buy on Etsy. I specifically go for individual, small business or artisan shops. I’ve gotten handmade goods from the UK, Turkey, Ukraine etc.
If there’s not a similar artisan or small business where I live that has what I’m looking for I treat the Etsy app like a large artisan market.